#1Hot
Dubai
- Day
- 42.6°C
- Sea
- 33.4°C
- Sun
- 10.8h
- Rain days
- 0
Your August weather guide
Weather in United Arab Emirates in August
August is a difficult month for an outdoor holiday in the United Arab Emirates, but it can suit travellers happy to spend much of the day indoors. Average daytime temperatures reach 41°C, nights stay around 30°C, and the sea is 34°C, so there is little relief from the heat. The main decision is not where to find mild weather, but how much outdoor time you want. Abu Dhabi is less hot than Dubai, though neither is comfortable for prolonged daytime activity.
Long-term climate averages, not a forecast · 1991-2020
- Average daytime high
- 41.5°Cacross 2 destinations
- Average night-time low
- 29.8°Cafter dark
- Sea temperature
- 33.5°Cwarm enough to swim
- Rainy days
- 0days1 mm or more
United Arab Emirates, month by month
Turn up the warmth
Warmest places in United Arab Emirates in August
Ranked by average daytime high. The full comparison is in the table below.
#2Hot
Abu Dhabi
- Day
- 40.3°C
- Sea
- 33.7°C
- Sun
- 10.7h
- Rain days
- 0
United Arab Emirates destinations ranked for August
All 2 places we track in United Arab Emirates, ordered by daytime high.
August climate overview
Daytime highs across United Arab Emirates in August run from 40.3°C (Abu Dhabi) to 42.6°C (Dubai). In Dubai about 100% of August days reach 25°C. Nights average 29.8°C; the coldest 10% of nights in Abu Dhabi fall to 28°C or below.
Rainfall in August
Expect around 0 rainy days (1 mm or more) in August, with Abu Dhabi the driest (0 days) and Dubai the wettest (0 days). The wettest August at Dubai between 1991 and 2020 was 2013 with 6 mm; the driest was 1991 with 0 mm.
Sea temperature
The sea averages 33.5°C around United Arab Emirates in August - warmest at Abu Dhabi (33.7°C). That is comfortable for swimming.
Sunshine and daylight
Around 10.8 hours of sunshine a day on average, out of 12.9 hours of daylight (sunshine estimated from cloud cover).
August against the rest of the year in United Arab Emirates
August is the 1st warmest month of the twelve in United Arab Emirates. It is 0.5°C warmer than July and 2.2°C cooler in September. The hottest month here is August (41°C) and the coolest January (24°C).
Which part of United Arab Emirates in August?
- Most sunshine: Dubai, 10.8 h a day.
- Driest: Abu Dhabi, about 0 rainy days.
- Warmest sea: Abu Dhabi, 34°C.
- Hottest: Dubai, 43°C by day - intense for sightseeing.
- Coolest (better for walking and cities): Abu Dhabi, 40°C.
What to pack for United Arab Emirates in August
Based on the averages: light, loose clothing and serious sun protection - midday highs sit around 41°C; swimwear - the sea is 34°C.
Dubai or Abu Dhabi: which is the better choice?
Abu Dhabi is the better choice if reducing daytime heat is your priority: its average high is 40°C, compared with Dubai's 43°C. That is a useful difference, but not enough to make August a comfortable month for long walks or active days outside. Dubai has a slightly lower night average of 29°C, while Abu Dhabi stays at 30°C, so evenings remain hot in both. Dubai's sea is also marginally cooler at 33°C against Abu Dhabi's 34°C, but neither offers a cool-water break. Choose Abu Dhabi for the lower daytime temperature, rather than expecting a substantially different kind of holiday weather.
Plan around the heat, not the rain
With 10.8 hours of sunshine and an average of 0 rainy days, rain is unlikely to be the main obstacle to your plans. Heat is the catch: keep outdoor activity brief, favour early morning over midday, and leave room for regular breaks in air-conditioned spaces. Pack loose, lightweight clothing, sun protection and a refillable water bottle. Evenings may be more practical for going out, but the night average means you should not expect cool air after sunset. Swimming may appeal, although the warm sea offers limited cooling. August is a poor fit if your ideal holiday depends on spending most of the day comfortably outdoors.
A little more detail
United Arab Emirates in August FAQs
Plain answers, grounded in the averages.
Where is the hottest place in United Arab Emirates in August?
Dubai is the warmest of the 2 places we track in United Arab Emirates in August with an average high of 42.6°C; Abu Dhabi is the coolest at 40.3°C.
Is the sea warm in United Arab Emirates in August?
The sea averages 22°C or more at Dubai (33°C), Abu Dhabi (34°C) in August.
How much hotter is the UAE than London in August?
The UAE averages 41°C by day in August, compared with London's 21°C. That calls for a different pace: plan around indoor breaks and short outdoor periods rather than treating it like a warmer version of a British summer day.
Will rain disrupt an August holiday?
Dubai and Abu Dhabi both average 0 rainy days in August, so rain is unlikely to shape your holiday. That is not a guarantee of dry weather throughout your stay, but heat is the much more relevant planning concern.
Is the sea refreshing in August?
Expect very warm water rather than a refreshing dip. Sea temperatures average 33°C in Dubai and 34°C in Abu Dhabi. If you are choosing between them for swimming, Dubai is slightly cooler, but the difference is modest.
About these averages
ERA5-Land climate reanalysis via Open-Meteo (11 km grid), 1991-2020
Averages computed from daily values at 2 destination points.Records are the highest and lowest daily values in that 30-year period, not all-time records. These are climate averages, not a forecast for your trip. How we measure holiday weather
- Hot · 25°C+
- Warm · 20°C to below 25°C
- Mild · 15°C to below 20°C
- Cool · below 15°C